David Moyes on 'next Billy McNeill' tag from Celtic icon as West Ham boss hopes mentor would've been proud of Euro glory

The next chapter in the David Moyes ’ story will be in the east end of London, not the east end of Glasgow.

The 60-year-old was linked with the job at his first club Celtic but is staying at West Ham to have another crack at Europe with them after becoming the seventh Scottish manager to lift a European trophy last Wednesday in Prague. Moyes joins Jock Stein (Celtic), Matt Busby (Manchester United), Willie Waddell (Rangers), Bill Shankly (Liverpool), Alex Ferguson (Aberdeen and Man United), George Graham (Arsenal) on the roll of honour.

Jarrod Bowen’s last-gasp winner against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League Final meant Moyes’ side were able to lift the newest Euro trophy of all. But the Scot says his inspiration is the man who has a statue outside Celtic Park. Billy McNeill’s achievement as captain of Celtic’s European Cup heroes in 1967 is now captured in bronze outside the stadium, with ‘Cesar’ holding the cherished trophy just as he did in Lisbon. But for Moyes, the impact McNeill made on his career is just as tangible.

Big Billy was David’s first boss at Celtic, giving the centre-back his European Cup debut at the age of 18 in 1981, away to Juventus. And while Moyes admits to regret at not living up to his gaffer’s endorsement of “being the next Billy McNeill,” as a Hoops player, he hopes he has fulfilled his mentor’s faith in him now.

The Glaswegian has clocked up almost 1100 games in England as a boss. Moyes delivered West Ham’s first European silverware since the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965. That’s why West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed he wants Moyes – who has a deal until 2024 – to be in charge for the third successive season in Europe.

The Hammers also reached the Europa League